A TUI Boeing 737 has suffered serious damage after skidding off the runway whilst landing at Leeds Bradford Airport earlier this afternoon.
TUI flight BY1597 Corfu – Leeds
TUI flight BY1597/TOM3551, a Boeing 737-800 operating from Corfu (CFU) to Leeds Bradford (LBA), veered off the runway after landing this afternoon.
Early photographs give a sense of the degree of damage, with the crippled aircraft having veered completely off the port side of the runway as it landed during Storm Babet.
It is understood that airport operations have currently been suspended and emergency assets have been deployed to the aircraft.
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Flight data shows the aircraft making its entry and arrival in IFR conditions before making its final approach and landing on RWY14 at Leeds (LBA)
Flight conditions for the aircraft’s arrival were Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IFR) with a 500 foot cloudbase and winds 18-31kt, with a crosswind on the duty runway.
The aircraft operating this afternoon’s flight from Corfu was a Boeing 737-800 registered G-TAWD; an 11 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier TUI Airways.
Update 15:15 BST
TUI Airways has made a statement on this afternoon’s accident, saying: “We are aware of an incident at Leeds Bradford Airport this afternoon, in which upon landing flight TOM3551 slightly veered off while turning into the taxiway.”
“There are no reported injuries, and our ground team are on hand to support passengers as they disembark.”
Leeds Bradford Airport has now also released a statement saying: “We can confirm TUI flight TOM3551 arriving from Corfu at LBA this afternoon has moved off the runway whilst landing.”
“We are working with the airline, relevant operations teams and emergency authorities to address this situation and remove passengers from the aircraft safely.”
Update 15:55 BST
With Leeds Bradford single runway closed, inbound flights are diverting to alternative airports including Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands and Newcastle.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue command unit has now stood down; confirming no reported injuries, and passengers have been assisted from the aircraft to the terminal.
Update 17:52 BST
More photos are coming through, courtesy of @FlightEmergency on X from an anonymous source, detailing how deep the mud is caused by the runway incursion earlier today.
Unconfirmed reports are coming through that Leeds Bradford Airport is expected to be open by 1.00am tomorrow morning, as efforts to clear the incident continue.
Update 09:00 BST October 21
Leeds Bradford remains closed this morning after yesterday’s runway excursion incident. According to the latest update provided by the Airport, a resumption of flight operations is expected at 11:00 BST today.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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